DUI suspect flees from CHP, causes three-car collision, fatality and injuries

Andrea Verdin

Staff Writer

Monday, April 20^th, 2009.
Issue 17, Volume 13.

A suspected drunk driver led California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers on a high speed pursuit down Interstate 15 on Sunday, April 19, before causing a three car collision resulting in a fatality and minor injuries on SR76.

At approximately 7 p.m., Silvero M. Romero, a 23-year-old from Vista, was pulled over by a Temecula CHP officer for an enforcement stop north of the Rainbow Valley Road exit. During the enforcement stop, Romero drove off in his 2001 Ford Explorer and fled southbound on the I-15 at speeds of over 100 mph.

According to a CHP report by Officer M. Latulippe, Romero used all lanes of the freeway, including the right shoulder to elude the officer.

Romero exited the freeway and headed west on SR76, running a red light at the intersection of SR76 and Old Highway 395 at a high speed. The CHP officer lost sight of the Explorer as it headed west.

Seconds later, Romero's vehicle crossed over the double yellow lines into the eastbound lane, where he collided head on with a 1999 Toyota Pickup driven by 27-year-old Douglas Tarry of Moreno Valley.

Romero continued driving westbound, where he collided with another vehicle, a 2004 F-350, being driven by James F. Riley, a 50-year-old male from Barstow.

Romero lost control of the Explorer, resulting in it overturning and traveling down an embankment on the south side of SR76.

Even though Romero suffered major injuries in the incident, including having his left leg severed just below the knee, he attempted to flee the scene on foot, but collapsed 50 feet away from the Explorer.

Tarry, the driver of the Toyota pickup, was transported to Palomar Medical Center where, despite aggressive medical and surgical care he perished a short time later. Tarry was a musician with a band known as Agrypnia.

The couple in the F-350 pickup, James and Jennifer Riley, sustained minor injuries in the collision.

Romero was transported to Palomar Medical Center and will be charged with felony manslaughter, felony DUI, felony evading arrest, and felony hit-and-run.

The incident led to SR76 being closed for approximately eight and a half hours for investigation of collision and removal of the vehicles involved.

54 comments for "DUI suspect flees from CHP, causes three-car collision, fatality and injuries"

11:08 am Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

1. Ray says :

According to KGTV, Romero lost part of his leg. Not enough for a life lost.

Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location.

11:08 am Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

2. Ray says :

ICE hold?

Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location.

11:08 am Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

3. Ray says :

See a pattern here folks?

11:08 am Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

4. MC says :

ALCOHOL!!!!! ALL CAUSED BY ALCOHOL!!!!!!

12:58 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

5. Ray says :

Catch the TEN most wanted by Crime Stoppers? One Arab, One Caucasian, One Asian and the rest.... well you know.

Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location.

12:58 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

6. Ray says :

But I guess some more than others abuse "firewater" thus the pattern.

Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location.

2:24 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

7. Ray says :

Hispanic crime is 7 to 1 over any other ethnic group in this country. Hispanic sex crimes are 20 to 1 over any other ethnic group including Catholics. Hispanics are 20% more likely to be arrested or killed from alcohol related crimes than any other ethnic group
(MADD Study). Hispanic gang populations are rising at a 400% rate, more than any other ethnic group, even though our Sheriff fails to admit it this fact. When will the media admit the truth and print it? We are being "infested" like termites, our home is about to crumble untio "we" realize the problem and have the guts to admit it.

2:24 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

8. Fallbrookian says :

My friend just got a dui (which he is definitely stupid for driving while intoxicated), but at least in his case he was stopped by the officer and he just came right out and told the officer that he was intoxicated... didn't fight it. I think that is a much better way to go about it if you are caught instead of running and killing someone on the road!

2:51 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

9. Stop it!! says :

What is wrong with people? Selfish, stupid drinkers! Why don't they get that drinking and driving kills innocent people. I will say a prayer for this young musician, Douglas Tarry. All his families hopes and dreams for him just snuffed out in 30 seconds by an unlicensed drunk driver. It sickens me.

Romero, the unlicensed drunk, needs to do a long sentence in jail, but we all know that will NEVER happen. Hopefully, the loss of his leg will remind him every day how he completely devastated and destroyed a family because of his idiotic, selfish behavior.

2:58 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

10. Ray says :

Remember the Apple Computer advertisement in 1980? I guess I am the one tossing the sledge hammer into the television screen. Wake up people, understand what's going on in your community and the nation. We are at a crossroads, do we allow Barry "badda bing" Soetoro rule our lives by taxing us into extinction only to gain political poer and a domination like Mexico's PRI party for the past 70 years, or are we sitill Americans who hold the constitution absoulte? Do we allow "law breakers" who pole vault into our country the same rights as people who have birth right or live here and naturalized for decades? Our border is a non-existant boundary where "anyone" can come across, Kill American Citizens, Flee across the border to avoid prosecution laughing at the prople they kill? It's time to take our country back, It's not Mexico, our toilets flush and we stilll can drink the water. It's time people wake up to the "invasion". How many "innocent people" have to die because of our government's policies? Wake up folks, unless you want to learn spanish and live like they do in Mexico.

3:05 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

11. Stop it!! says :

Ray......what the heck????? Catholics are an ethnic group now? And since when are they guilty of crimes? I am seriously confused by that statement.

3:23 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

12. Ray says :

Stop It: Not ethnic but the majority of sex crimes. Father forgive me for I have sinned. It's been 35 years since my last confession... Nonsense!

4:33 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

13. Fed up says :

Sounds like this guy was probably an illegal immigrant. Sadly these types of stories happen much too frequently.

4:33 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

14. Stop it!! says :

Ray, according to the three major insurance companies that cover clergy, the average number of sexual cases per year for Catholic clergy is 225. The average number of sexual cases per year for Protestant clergy is 260. So, it appears that the Protestants and have a bigger (yet more covered up) sexual molestation issue.

But, back to the subject at hand. What do you want to bet that this horrible human being will just walk on any charges because the judges will feel he suffered enough (losing his leg). Well, not literally walk.....

5:23 pm Mon, Apr 20^th, 2009

15. Ray says :

Too many for people of trust. That is why I consider religion a "scam"

7:23 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

16. cali says :

I believe this all goes down to the way we are raised in life. No matter what nationality we are. Yes there are a abundant amount of hispanics here and myself being hispanic, but not being from mexico. I have seen life in a different way that I would not ever let my children see that way. I have 5 children and they will not hear of racism, or feel insulted by it. We as a military family have lived in different lifestyles, in many different states. So if you were in oklahoma like we were couple months ago, it would have been either a caucasian or someone darker than me in the newspaper..so its all the same everywhere. Racism is not a method I teach in my household and nor will it ever be used against anyone. but back to the subject....
I believe he needs to spend the rest of his life in Jail... I dont like drunk drivers whomever they are.

7:23 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

17. the truth says :

Regardless of whether or not the clergy commits crime or not the real problem here is the fact that our community is being overrun with hispanic/latino related crime. I'll admit i've been to jail for my transgressions and 90% of the incarcerated population was hispanic/latino. They showed no remorse and in fact laughed about what they had done. It makes me sick that everyone has the wool pulled over their eyes.

7:23 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

18. To Ray says :

People are evil wether involved in religion or not- it is called original sin. Do now throw out the baby with the bathwater Ray. I totally get being irritated with "religion" and all that encompasses it, but remember wherever there are humans, there will be problems no matter what.

Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location.

7:24 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

19. To "Stop it!!" says :

Thank you for your statistics on the sexual cases that clergy partake in each year- I am curious where you got those statistics? I'd like to know because I have thought about this issue in the past and figured the media blew up the Catholic thing. And if these statistics are accurate, then I was correct.

7:24 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

20. Eddie says :

Ray get a life.

7:24 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

21. Sick of Racist views and opinions. says :

You people are so ignorant someone died who cares what color skin anyone involved have. Get a life and or a job and find something better to do than spread your racist views on here.

7:24 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

22. Sally M says :

I'm so TIRED of freaking drunk Mexicans.

8:51 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

23. Josh says :

I agree Eddie “Ray” needs to get a life and stop mentioning random stats that have no credibility. I feel sorry for him. He was probably bullied by Mexicans when was in high school and dedicates his life to these forums.

8:51 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

24. Ray says :

Stop It: The molestation within the Catholic Church has been going on for decades. My deceased grandmother was molested by a priest back in the 1920's. it's a BIG problem that is under reported.

Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location.

8:52 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

25. Ray says :

Sally M: In that MADD Report published a few years ago, it listed the reasons for the high rate of Hispanics and DUI arrests, culture. When you come from a culture where men are judged by "macho" where being a man is how much you can drink or how many kids you can father combined with violence, poverty, gangs crime, it's an explosive combination. The only way to fix the problem is to eliminate the "peonic" ways of their country of origin and assimilate which we all know they just flat out refuse to do. So when they come here by whatever means, they carry this "backwater" thinking with them. How many times have I heard "It's legal in Mexico", well just about everything in Mexico is legal or over looked as long as you "grease someone's palms". And once again... Mexico is a country, not a race.

8:52 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

26. J says :

I agree with Sally.

10:06 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

27. Aaron says :

I have lived in Fallbrook for over 15 years (San Diego even longer), regardless of whether or not we want to admit it, we have a serious problem at our borders. I am not racist but I do believe the massive majority of immigrants coming to our country (illegal or not) are not loyal to this country. They disrespect our laws, disregard our country's history, and take the freedoms we enjoy for granted. Congress must act to secure our borders and punish law breakers.

It is true, many who drink and drive around this area are hispanic but not all. Over the last ten years I have heard of at least 10 people, who I know or have met, who have received a DUI in North County. This has got to stop. As a community we need to come together and find ways of preventing and/or halting this activity. Overall, I think a one strike rule is in order here. Get caught drinking and driving (one time!) and your license is taken away, period. I do think jail time is also necessary.

10:34 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

28. fallbrookian says :

The other problem with dui's is that like my friend who got pulled over for a dui, he is laughing because even though it is his first offense and he will lose his license for 30 days, that won't take affect until after his trial - so in the mean time he is still allowed to drive... what's to say he won't drink and drive again during the 30 days until his trial? I think this is wrong... His license should have been revoked immediately! (This took place in Temecula BTW)

10:54 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

29. Ray says :

In some states even if your pulled over for a traffic citation, the officer keeps your license and you drive on a ticket unless you either pay the citation or have a bond card. Most automobile club cards offer a $250.00 bond so you just give the officer your club card in lieu of your license. In Illinois, they courts keep your license and you can't use your bond card for bail on a DUI and are issued on release a notice to appear citation which you drive on. By not having your license in your pocket is a good motivator to slow down or watch your tush. Another thing is when you get your license back, the officer can count the staple holes to see if you have had a ticket before running your license through the VDT. California has some of the most "before christ" poilicies in regards to motor vehicles I have ever seen. that is why over 70% of Californians reject SB 60 (illegal aliens receiving drivers licenses). California needs to get tough, remember driving is NOT a right.

Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location.

11:16 am Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

30. Ray says :

If you read the bottom reverse on your AAA card it permits $500.00 bail for minor traffic citations ( not available in all jurisdictions including California).

Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location.

12:21 pm Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

31. Ray says :

Josh: You got fingers, look it up. I sure am not going to do your leg work for you. When I went to high school, all the hispanics were in their own neighborhoods (barrios), remember I am from Chicago where we have neighborhoods like China Town, Greek Town, Jew Town, Polish Town or "back of the yards", etc, something like "Little Italy" in San Diego so I rarely saw hispanics, I didn't do much "slumming" when I was young.

12:21 pm Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

32. Stop it!! says :

The information on the clergy/sex issue is correct. I did copious amounts of research on this very issue. The 260 Protestant claims represents only the claims at the three largest insurance companies (that would mean this figure could be understated by quite a bit). The reason that there is no way to get a more accurate figure that includes all unreported Protestant insurance claims, is that there is no central reporting agency for all Protestant faiths. There are too many churches to poll each one about all types of molestation claims. The 225 Catholic claims represents not only the insurance company claims, but also the claims that went unreported to the insurance companies (thereby making this a much more accurate number).

So, as you see, the Protestant churches have a much larger problem with molestation. But ultimately, take a look at almost any career....teachers, for an example. The number of reported molestation among teachers dwarfs the amount in both the Protestant and Catholic communities. There is just an inherent "religious bashing" that goes on and it is all very sad, but very much blown out of proportion. It does not justify what happened to innocent people by their mentors, but I think we must put the "bashing" end of it into perspective.

I did this research because I do not like to see all other clergy under suspicion and attacked for something that they did not do. Shame on the clergy of all faiths, that took advantage of innocent people, but by no means does that mean all clergy are bad or anything else but great men/women of God.

I apologize to the readers of this thread. I did not want to get so far off track, but was only answering a legitimate question for another reader. I do understand this has nothing to do with the accident, drunk driving, etc. So, this will be the last that I bring this up. Again, my apologies for going off track.

2:31 pm Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

33. Ray says :

Within the last fifteen minutes, yet another illegal alien DUI story. Nobody died this time.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/norridge/news/1534961,norridge-mateoortiz-042009-s1.article

4:48 pm Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

34. Lorenzo says :

Ray, I thought I had anger issues but you win. Get help amigo.

10:13 pm Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

35. local in upper class TJ says :

To Stop It- Thank you for the info. As far as the illegal immigrant issue goes, I blame our elected politicians for the problem. Anything the govt wants, the govt gets. There IS a reason our borders are porous. I do not blame the immigrants. I mean come on....free education, free health care, free food- all carried on the backs of the tax paying citizen. Order the DVD titled "Border" on Netflix (I do not know if they have it a Blockbuster). Our southern border was protected by our military for either a 30 or 90 day period (ordered by Bush) and NOT ONE illegal immigrant or drug came through to our country. PROOF that it is very possible. So what happend? Why didn't they continue to protect our country? Bush sent the military to Iraq to police over there instead.

11:09 pm Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

36. mom says :

I to agree with Sally!!!

11:52 pm Tue, Apr 21^st, 2009

37. fedup says :

Lorenzo, I agree that Ray may have anger issues, but in this case I think they are completely justified. I grew up in a world where children could walk down to the 7-11 and get a Slurpee, and if anything bad happened, it was an aberration. My children were 14 before I let them walk the three blocks to Rite-Aid, and even then I made them carry walkie-talkies. Not because I 'feared the world' in general, but because I knew that most of the crimes and problems in Fallbrook at the time were because of our Mexican (NOT hispanic, Mexican) population. And it's only got worse. I am not a racist, was not raised a racist, but I am intelligent enough to notice that it is Mexicans, the culture they bring here, and their behavior based on that culture, that is causing so many problems, not only in our friendly village, but across the country. There is nothing wrong with getting angry at the loss of our freedoms and safety because of the huge influx of people with little or no morals from a country with very little or no morals. Personally, I think we should all stop being so politically correct and start getting angrier.

11:43 am Wed, Apr 22^nd, 2009

38. Ray says :

local in upper class TJ: I've seen the movie but most of the video outlets do not carry the video "Border" because the "reconquista' open border zelots "carped" about it and in the usual "politically correct" fashion, the movie was "censored". You can get it on a few online video services but in your local Blockbuster, I don't think so. I think "anyone" who has questions regarding illegal immigration and it's impact should rent the movie. They should also rent this movie to show the other side, it's an old one but I think you still can find it. It was part of the Chicago Film Festival in 1984, it's called El Norte. Watch both than decide.

1:06 pm Wed, Apr 22^nd, 2009

39. You said it says :

I agree with Sally, Fedup and Ray. I couldn't agree more. Our kids aren't safe, and neither are we. The problem is that so many people worry about being pc, they aren't really angry enough to take back the civil rights--the ones that our founding fathers fought so hard for!!!

1:34 pm Wed, Apr 22^nd, 2009

40. local in upper class TJ says :

thanks for the info Ray- I'll check it out.

5:08 pm Wed, Apr 22^nd, 2009

41. Stop it!! says :

I agree with many of you. No one is safe anymore and we are told we are bigots and racists for speaking up. That is just garbage. Well.....I am fed up with that nonsense. It is time for the whiplash from those of us who have been forced to be politically correct (to the detriment of our families, ourselves, and society) and forced to give up our identities, culture, etc., just because we are white. I am DONE being politically correct. I am done being told that I am a racist, because I am white. I am EXTREMELY PROUD of being white and would NEVER want to be another color, race, creed, etc. I am thrilled that I am of European descent.

My skin is beautiful and so is yours, the big difference, is that I don't judge you by your skin color, but you judge me by mine. I am not a racist, never have been, and never will be, but I will not stand by and watch our community suffer under some misguided politically correct ideals.

8:02 am Thu, Apr 23^rd, 2009

42. Ray says :

Stop It! "I'm white, proud and I say it out loud".... Excuse me, someone is knocking on my door. The "race police" are here to arrest me. The SPLC, ADL and ACLU is here to sue me. The press is here to print lies about me. So never say that your white and proud. Remember the only ones who are actually discriminated against in this country are "caucasians".

Comment Continued : The comment above was written from the same location.

11:57 am Thu, Apr 23^rd, 2009

43. Ray says :

Remember folks... I'm just one of those gun toting, church going, border sealing, anti gay marriage believing, no tax paying, extreme right wing supporting, anti Soetoro for president voter. In other words an American citizen, not a "home grown" terrorist.

1:13 am Sat, Apr 25^th, 2009

44. Alana says :

I'm Douglas Tarry's sister's best friend and we are truly devastated by the loss of this beautiful human being. I'm also half Mexican/half white, and a Harvard and Stanford grad. I do not believe the posters on this site were being racist. The bastard who killed Doug was not just worried about a ticket, he was worrying about being deported. His stakes were so high that he freaked out and fled and killed our beloved Doug. This murderer should have been deported the first time he was arrested and the officer that pulled him over should have shot at him or do anything possible to prevent him from fleeing. Our tax payer money is currently paying for this motherfu*&er's recovery for his leg. Yet the responsible law abiding Tarry family (who ironically includes a parent who is a LEGAL immigrant) is paying for Doug's medical bills. Enough is enough. We need more law enforcement and id checks at the border patrols including the one on the 15. It might just have saved Doug's life.

7:32 am Sun, Apr 26^th, 2009

45. Alana please contact me says :

Alana, could you please email me at editor@myvalleynews.com? I would like to talk with you further. thanks

4:45 pm Mon, Apr 27^th, 2009

46. mike says :

This is just a tragic story. I was driving back from Carlsbad that day, and it's always a little scary on that road!! This could have happened to anyone! This guy that ran from the police desrves an extended stay in the country now!! Locked up for life!! The poor guy that got killed did not deserve to has his life cut short by a runaway illegal!!! This is just wrong!!!

5:15 pm Mon, Apr 27^th, 2009

47. Stop it!! says :

To Alana: Please send my condolences to Doug's family. We were driving home from Oceanside, through Bonsall on the 76 that night. We watched one CHP after another speeding that direction. Little did we know that this man was about to lose his life as we watched this unfold. We knew something was seriously wrong, but never dreamed it would be this tragic. I am so sorry this happened to him and really appreciate your comments and your perspective.

10:43 pm Mon, Apr 27^th, 2009

48. College Friend says :

I'm shocked. I attend CSUDH and last talked to Doug about getting his commercial to air and whether he was going to come to Vegas that week for the NAB conference. He was a hard working student, open and always ready to lend a hand. I will miss seeing him, talking over the controversies of faith and love, having a beer together at the DH Lounge.

6:10 am Thu, Apr 30^th, 2009

49. jdmurrieta says :

Off with his leg? Good!!!! I say off with his head!!!!

12:02 pm Fri, May 1^st, 2009

50. Jose Sanchez says :

Wasnt because of the alcohol or his race, it was all because of Silvero M. Romeros poor judgement and stupidity. I do agree with Ray though.

2:22 pm Sun, May 3^rd, 2009

51. Stop it!! says :

to Jose Sanchez: You are right, it has nothing to do with his race. However, I believe it has everything to do with alcohol. He was a 23-year old drunk driver, how sad for him and the shame of his entire family. He is a loser and will live with his poor judgement and stupidity for the rest of his life. Every time he goes to take a step on his fake leg, I hope he remembers that he murdered Doug Tarry.

4:35 pm Mon, May 4^th, 2009

52. Zoni says :

OMG....there is NO excuse for diving intoxicated and causing a chain reation of hurt and sorrow for all.

California is WAY to easy on you. Maybe Sheriff Joe needs to come over there and straighten things up!!!

7:28 am Mon, Jun 22^nd, 2009

53. Family of Douglas says :

Douglas Tarry was my very dear cousin. I will miss him and never forget what a GOOD, SWEET soul he had. I cant explain the pain and anger i feel for this man that killed him. This ignorant, Silvero M. Romero will never know what he has done to our family, how he has taken away someone who was so special to us. What stupid man drives drunk then flees from the cops and hits an innocent people that were on the road that day.
Thank you all for your supportive comments. Please pray that this man, Silvero M. Romero gets what he deserves!

8:46 pm Mon, Jul 20^th, 2009

54. Carla Lee says :

I was one of those stupid people!! I had a few beers and thought the little I had was OK. It wasn't. I will always thank God that I was very blessed in being caught. I blew .08 right on the line but it doesn't matter now I believe it should be .00. I spent 3 days of my own choice in jail instead of community service and it was the worst 3 days of my life. I was then 40 year old female just moved out here, all my kids grown and for once by my self. I thought I was just having a little fun. Those 3 beers cost me 3,000 dollars and 10 years on the only record I'd ever had. But what if I had killed someone would it had been worth the 3 beers and the fun? NO!! I still after 10 years shake my head at myself and never will ever drink and drive again not even cough syrup. I also met my husband in the mandatory AA meeting's and he has now been sober for 10 years. He is a alcohol counselor and I am very happy to be part of his wonderful family. To the family of this young man who lost his life: I am deeply so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers and for all those that suffer from people like me that are just so stupid I hope and pray they get caught before it is too late to save yet another senseless death. Am I white yes do I still drink Yes but only at home or with a driver that is not drinking Do I drink often No. I came here from Nebraska were it wasn't looked at as a problem to drive down to a friends house for a glass of wine or a cold beer But it is a problem. I came from a mind set of ignorance in a small town, so this is all over America not just a certain race or culture. I am eternally grateful for all the police officers, no matter their skin color or culture that are their to stop people like me.

DUI suspect flees from CHP, causes three-car collision, fatality and injuries

54 comments for "DUI suspect flees from CHP, causes three-car collision, fatality and injuries"

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